Archives of real estate blog entries for April 19, 2009

Featured blog posts


Prices & interest rates are down, inventory is plentiful, people are looking... but what about those taxes!!! - 05:58 AM
When people discuss the local real estate market they usually look at it from the view point of an owner or a buyer. 
Three, four years back when the Westchester real estate market was flying high, we heard about what an "outstanding" real estate market it was.  And of course, most people made a substantial profit when selling their home, or if they owned a home they were simply getting a thrill out of watching it appreciate, and in the end they were able to pull equity out of it and spend it on something fun. So it was perceived as a "great" real estate market.
Now, in today's real estate market we only hear about what a "terrible" … (44 comments)

Move to the Next Level - 07:26 PM
 

You have dreams, goals and know you are ready to make a positive move.  Need to take that next step and move up a level in your business as you feel stagnate, stuck, even bored?  Imagination and reality can indeed compliment each other in our business.  First you need to form your vision and then turn that picture to real results. 
Action Steps to Your Next Level
•  If you do not know where you are in your business in regards to production, run the numbers for last year and first quarter 2009. 
•  Run your financials for 2008 and also … (41 comments)

My 9 Year Old - A Short Sale Negotiator - 07:51 PM
The apple does not fall far from the tree....
Those of you who are real estate lifers - you know that deals never sleep.  You likely have to answer the phone at the oddest times and places, stop in the middle of Wal-Mart to send a text message, find yourself checking your email religiously, always need to run by a property for this or that, etc......  If you have a family, then you know that the kids end-up"working" with you. 
We have been negotiating distressed property deals in Atlanta (short sales and REO buys) for several years as a family owned investment group while I also work as … (55 comments)

Does "Short Sale" have to be disclosed? - 06:04 AM
“There is no state or federal law that requires a seller to provide any disclosure forms for a short sale.” This is from one of the attorneys for out Florida Association of Realtors.I wonder how he reconciles that statement with this:A Seller of a residential property, whether a bank or an individual and regardless of whether the seller occupied the property, is obligated under Florida law to disclose to a buyer all known facts that materially affect the value of the property which are not readily observable and are not known to the buyer. The disclosure obligation can be fulfilled via … (171 comments)

50 Ways To Leave Your ... Number! (Not Really!) - 08:33 AM
Being hooked on some old tunes lately because a friend on Facebook keeps posting them - I heard this one yesterday! It was a catchy back in the day: "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon!
But nahhh.. I don't really have 50 ways to leave a number - but I do have a few fun ways to leave your number!  Especially for those shy or busy folks who call and want to talk - but are hesitant to leave their number; or really don't want to talk to me right away and don't mind leaving their number!
For fun - here are a few fun things to check … (64 comments)


Blog posts


Girls Just Want To Have Fun-In Daytona Beach! - 10:50 PM
One of the best gifts I have ever received from social networking is friendships...friendships that lead us off-line and into one another's lives.
Jeannette Neerpat and I really did not interact that often on Activerain...believe it or not..it was a tweet!  I admit I am not the best twit but at one time...I was pretty good...
Good enough to meet Jeannette...mentor her and for her to take 3rd Place in the Makeover2Takeover..when you really think about it..social networking is really incredible but what is remarkable is our friendship..I know I can count on her and she can count on me...our friendship … (14 comments)

To blog or not to blog? - 07:52 PM
To blog or not to blog, that is the question;
Whether it is most cost effective
To blog for Google juice,
Or use the pay per clicks to raise your seo,
And by opposing, both.  To do open houses;
No more internet; and by open houses
We mean the heart ache of sitting countless hours
Waiting for the perfect buyer
Who belongs to no one.  Perfect credit, to close in a fortnight;
To purchase, perchance to dream.  Ay, there's no contingencies,
For in the closing of escrow,
When we have transferred title and all is done
Must give us pause:  There's the … (0 comments)

OPEN HOUSES FOR SUNDAY APRIL 19 - 07:36 AM
Listing of Sunday's Open Houses from I-Tech MLS
Listing of Sunday's Open Houses from Combined L.A. Westside MLS
Featuring Open Houses in the Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
… (0 comments)

Procrastinating Can Have Expensive Consequences! - 01:57 PM
This weekend has been all about getting things ready for the packers to come on Tuesday. Part of that was an assignment I gave myself to go through boxes in my office that I moved into this house in 2005 that have not been touched. 
I figured, if I haven't needed the stuff in the past 3 1/2 years, why would I need the stuff later, so I was planning on going through them to throw stuff away...
However, I've been procrastinating and procrastinating and doing other things instead... like writing this blog post!!
I finally went to my closet, sat … (23 comments)

People Love Pictures - 09:08 AM
My partner Bob has an 11-year-old mixed bred dog named Bear.  Bob has been seriously thinking about getting a young companion dog for Bear, and Bob has always wanted a Basset Hound. Bob registered with Basset Rescue and his home visit was just approved on Friday.  But we've also been looking at Basset Breeder sites online. And I just thought I'd remark that I love this breeder's web site , Desiree Acres  ... it's not cutting edge technology, it's not state-of-the-art design,  BUT it has what any dog lover wants to see most of all,  DOZENS of photos of wonderful, beautiful, adorable Bassets  … (5 comments)

Advanced Access Outage: Agent websites are down again - 04:43 PM
I've had an Advanced Access website for 10 years and was very happy with it the first 5 or so, until the company was sold to Dominion.  Since then, Customer Service is a disservice and the product continues to suffer.
They've had periodic outages almost every month, and this last week, they've announced several "down times" late at night, but this weekend, the sites are out without explanation, we have no access to our "Virtual Office" to make needed updates and changes to our listings for our Open Houses on the weekend and no one is replying to emails and "Online … (0 comments)

There Was a Free Lunch..... WCR in Baltimore - 05:35 PM
Thursday's lunch (free!) sponsored by the WCR drew a good crowd to the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors® offices. It was a good way to introduce people to our WCR and the perks that come with membership – including 12 credits FREE during the year just by being a member. That's a nice benefit especially with this economy. 
The discussion included " Marketing to Women." The presentation included reminders about working with Boomers, who make up 38% of the full time work force, and how important it is to ask what they want instead of telling them about you – they are … (22 comments)

Does "Short Sale" have to be disclosed? - 06:04 AM
“There is no state or federal law that requires a seller to provide any disclosure forms for a short sale.” This is from one of the attorneys for out Florida Association of Realtors.I wonder how he reconciles that statement with this:A Seller of a residential property, whether a bank or an individual and regardless of whether the seller occupied the property, is obligated under Florida law to disclose to a buyer all known facts that materially affect the value of the property which are not readily observable and are not known to the buyer. The disclosure obligation can be fulfilled via … (171 comments)

Home Loan Highlights: FHA 203k, FHA Streamline 203k, Fannie Mae HomeStyle and EasyBuild Renovation - CT MORTGAGE - Connecticut First Time Home Buyer Loan - 10:47 PM
 
         
If you have any questions in regards to these 4 different type of rehab home loans then please feel free to contact me.
Your CT Mortgage Professional,
Nima Rezvan
Senior Loan Officer
Blackberry: 203.913.6016
Email: Nima@concorde.bz
 
 
… (1 comments)

Is your internet marketing strategy right brain, or left brain? - 07:42 PM
Check out this awesome post by Rene....be sure and click on the links he provided. They are awesome...figure out whether you're left or right brained! Guess which one I am according to this test? ;-)

Via René Fabre IT Marketing (Ticor Title Company):
This morning I really hit pay dirt. I was combing over SEO blogs as part of my research for an article I'm writing about driving traffic to real estate blogs and websites. We've been running a series of experiments with great results and I wanted to check in with the experts to discover what I might be doing right. I'm by no … (13 comments)

2-1 RATE BUY DOWNS.... WHAT ARE THEY? - 04:13 PM

Via DUANE POTTER - (252) 474-4357 (COUNTRYWIDE BANK, FSB):
Often times lenders will allow borrowers to temporarily "buy down" the interest rate on a mortgage.  The 2-1 buy down allows a purchaser to reduce the initial interest rate on their mortgage by 2% the first year, 1% the next year, and 0% every year thereafter.  It is important to note that there is generally a fee in the form of discount points to buy down a mortgage in this fashion.This 2-1 buy down should not be confused with a permanent buy down.  A permanent buy down is when the borrower pays points to … (3 comments)

The Permanent Buy-Down : No Shampooing or Conditioner Necessary - 04:14 PM

Via David Saks - Broker (The Real Estate Mart of Tennessee, Inc.):
                                                    
It's simple !
You just pay more discount points in order to get a lower interest rate.
Most lenders seem to agree that there is no absolute as to what to consider the costs to be in the final analysis.
The rule of thumb is that 1 point (1 %) is equal to a one-eighth (0.125%) of a percentile drop in the rate.
Checking with the different lenders is a good idea to see what the competition standards are for the moment.
You might find that the … (4 comments)

Open House at Heron Creek - 07:24 PM
We advertised our Open houses on Realtor.Com, www.point2nls,com which links to all the major search engines and websites, www.venicegolfrealestate.com. www,mfr.mlxchange.com, realty generator and we e-mailed our data base a post card. We also advertise on craigs List.
So far the only results I have to offer are from the home I was in. 4483 Whispering Oaks Dr.
We had 10 visitors. 2 are buyers we have been showing property to already. Two are friends that may make an offer through us on another home. Two are Heron Creek residents that are looking for what's out there. Two were new to the … (1 comments)

2 Bedroom Condo w/ Washer & Dryer in Unit! - 01:26 PM

1375 Rebecca Drive #321, Hoffman Estates IL 60169
2 Bedroom / 1 Bathroom  MLS# 06879333 
Awesome Condo! Not a short sale or foreclosure! WASHER AND DRYER IN THE UNIT! 2 Bedroom Beauty w/ new maple cabinets, granite counters, newer carpet, freshly painted. Washer and large WIC, storage on same floor, new lighting, very clean. Nothing beats this! Most reasonable 2 bedroom listed.
 Click on the link below for more details and pictures:
http://www.realestate4uonline.com/s=active
RE/MAX Territory (847)956-2800

… (0 comments)

Gorgeous Home with $40,000 in Upgrades! - 01:40 PM

598 Claridge, Hoffman Estates IL 60169
3 Bedroom / 2.5 Bathrooms MLS# 07053619  
NOT a short sale or foreclosure! LARGE & GORGEOUS 3 BDM AND 2 1/2 BATH, 2 CAR TOWNHOUSE. MANY NEW UP GRADES! $40,000 + IN LAST YEAR! FIREPLACE SURROUNDED BY BEAUTIFUL STONE, 2 NEW SLIDING DOORS IN FAMILY/LIVING RM. VAULTED CLGS. NEW: 6 PANEL DOORS, SIDING & ROOF, FURN. & A/C TOTAL KIT, OAK FLRS 1ST LVL, CARPET UPSTRS, GAR. DOOR, TOO MANY ITEMS TO LIST! TAKE ADVANTAGE THIS DEAL!
Click on the link below for more details and pictures:
http://www.realestate4uonline.com/s=active
RE/MAX Territory (847)956-2800
… (0 comments)

demand for excessive referral fees from relo company - 05:45 PM
sharonharding@remax.netSent: 4/19/2009 5:13:04 P.M. Central Daylight TimeSubj: "After-the-fact" Relocation referral fees demanded of a Realtor in Illinois
  A seller in a near-by subdivision was referred to me through a fellow church member.  After I had spent many days meeting with the seller, doing a CMA for her, photographing every room in her property, arranging for a stager to meet with her and providing a staging proposal, filling out and sending many pages of relocation company documents to her and to the relo company.
NOW I have received a fax from the relocation company demanding that I pay them a 40% … (0 comments)

Excessive relo referral fee - 05:49 PM
sharonharding@remax.netSent: 4/19/2009 5:13:04 P.M. Central Daylight TimeSubj: "After-the-fact" Relocation referral fees demanded of a Realtor in Illinois
  A seller in a near-by subdivision was referred to me through a fellow church member.  After I had spent many days meeting with the seller, doing a CMA for her, photographing every room in her property, arranging for a stager to meet with her and providing a staging proposal, filling out and sending many pages of relocation company documents to her and to the relo company.
NOW I have received a fax from the relocation company demanding that I pay them a 40% … (0 comments)

relo fees - 06:01 PM
   

sharonharding@remax.netSent: 4/19/2009 5:13:04 P.M. Central Daylight TimeSubj: "After-the-fact" Relocation referral fees demanded of a Realtor in Illinois  A seller in a near-by subdivision was referred to me through a fellow church member.  After I had spent many days meeting with the seller, doing a CMA for her, photographing every room in her property, arranging for a stager to meet with her and providing a staging proposal, filling out and sending many pages of relocation company documents to her and to the relo company.
NOW I have received a fax from the relocation company demanding that I pay them … (0 comments)

Relocation referral fees of 40% - 06:07 PM
   

sharonharding@remax.netSent: 4/19/2009 5:13:04 P.M. Central Daylight TimeSubj: "After-the-fact" Relocation referral fees demanded of a Realtor in Illinois  A seller in a near-by subdivision was referred to me through a fellow church member.  After I had spent many days meeting with the seller, doing a CMA for her, photographing every room in her property, arranging for a stager to meet with her and providing a staging proposal, filling out and sending many pages of relocation company documents to her and to the relo company, NOW I have received a fax from the relocation company demanding that I pay them a … (0 comments)

40% relo fees - 06:10 PM
   

sharonharding@remax.netSent: 4/19/2009 5:13:04 P.M. Central Daylight TimeSubj: "After-the-fact" Relocation referral fees demanded of a Realtor in Illinois  A seller in a near-by subdivision was referred to me through a fellow church member.  After I had spent many days meeting with the seller, doing a CMA for her, photographing every room in her property, arranging for a stager to meet with her and providing a staging proposal, filling out and sending many pages of relocation company documents to her and to the relo company,
NOW I have received a fax from the relocation company demanding that I pay them a … (0 comments)

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